March 1997

DMP Big BandGlenn Miller ProjectDMP

Even at the peak of its fame in the prewar years, to most jazz fans the Glenn Miller Orchestra was little more than a popular assemblage of talented sidemen held tightly in wrap by a perfectionist leader, whose primary concerns revolved around making as much money as he could. Swing, he felt, was a passing fancy, and that sweetly played dance music had the widest appeal. Bearing all that in mind, it is surprising that this tribute by Dean Pratt's DMP Big Band is so generous in the time affords its soloists. Although the arrangements of the 15 hit tunes adhere closely to the sound of the original recordings, they do open up for solos by trumpeters Warren Vache and Randy Sandke, trombonist Scott Whitfield, clarinetist Ralph Olsen, and saxmen Dave Glasser, Bob Kindred, and Frank Perowsky. Drummer Michael Pratt kicks things along as much as the charts permit. It should also be mentioned that Tom Jung's Circle Surround technology is impressive, even on a 2-Channel setup.